Fruit-jar



(No Model.)

D. E. ASHBY.

FRUIT JAR.

Patented Mar. 29, 1887.,

N, PETERS. Phowmho n mv. Wunlnkinn. 0.1:.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFEIQE.

DELMAR E. ASHBY, OF SAN FRANClSCQ'CALIFORNIA.

FRUIT-JAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,131, dated March 29, 1887.

A pplicafion filed January 20,1857. Serial No. 224,510 (Yo model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DELMAR E. ASHBY, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Fruit-Jars; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to certain improvements in fruit-jars and hermetically sealing the same.

It consists in the improved jar hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more complete explanation of my invention, the figure represents a vertical section of a containing jar or Vessel of my construction.

A is the jar, the upper edge of which has a ledge or depression formed around the top, upon which an elastic packing, B, is fitted, projecting slightly above the upper edge of the jar, so as to be compressed when the cap is placed upon it.

C is a cap of thin easily-perforated metal, which fits over the top of the j ar,and is formed with an annular rib, which will rest upon the elastic ring B and compress it when the cover is forced down, and it has a flange turning downward a short distance outside the rim of the jar, as shown at D. In order to hold this cap in place, and at the same time expose the central portion,so that it can be easily cutout to obtain access to the contents of thejar, I form a rim, E, of heavy sheet metal, curved so as to have the same shape at the top as the thinner metal below, and thus force the thin plate closely into contact with the elastic ring when the jar is closed. This ring E has a flange, F, projecting downward around the sides of the jar so low thatits lower edge may turn into the channel G, which is formed. around thejar for that purpose, and it may also, if desired, be indented into another grooved channel, H, so that it is firmly secured in place, also sealing the jar hermetically.

I is a supplemental cap or covering, which is fitted to slip over the outside of these inner caps, thus covering the whole and protecting the thin perforable cap 0 from injury. \Vhen this cap I has been removed, it is only necessary to take a knife and followaround the inner edge of the stout metal cap E, thus cutting out the whole of the inner portion of the thin metal cap 0, leaving the entire interior of the jar exposed.

The superiority of this jar over all other jars will be readily observed by the following explanation.

In the process of cooking, the thin tin cap being so pliable, its elasticity relieves the glass of all strain while cooking, and on the other hand, the vent being closed, the vacuum thus formed draws the cap so securely over the elastic ring, which projects a little above the jar, as to form a complete and air-tightjoint an advantage which could not be gained by using the common glass or heavy metal top. The amount of breakage by swells is reduced to almost nothing by the flexibility of this top, which is an item of vast importance in the saving of both glass and fruit.

Another and very important advantage this jar has over all others is in storing. The diameter of thejar and top being the same admits of stacking one upon another without fear of breakage.

In case of swells, as soon as fermentation takes place the cap 0, being of thin tin, is forced upward and above the heavy metal rim E, and the defective one can be easily de tected, and, if the fruit is not too far gone, these swells may be vented and rccooked. On the other hand, should the fruit be unfit for use, the tin top may be cut out and the jar used again, while with the hard-metal top or glass the jars would be destroyed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A fruit-jar having an elastic packing fitted into a depression or channel in its top and a groove 01- channel around its outside below the top, a thin perforable metal cap resting upon the elastic packing, and a heavy sheetmetal rim fitting over the cap and having a flange turned down and indented or fitted into the exterior groove or channel of the jar, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

S. H. NoURsE, H. 0. LEE, 

